Johnny Depp Rocks: Chuck E. Weiss

(updated 7/4/08)

Chuck E. Weiss is a singer and songwiter who is best known as the subject of the Rickie Lee Jones 1979 hit single, Chuck E.'s In Love. Weiss was a longtime friend of both Jones and Tom Waits, with whom Jones actually had the romantic involvement during the 70's. (Waits has also referenced him in song). With a strong background in and love of the blues (he played with the legendary Lightnin' Hopkins as a teen), this became the basis for his own style, which also incorporates jazz, folk, rock and zydeco. Weiss has long been a fixture in the LA music scene but has never been known for his studio output. In his 30 year career, he has only released 4 albums, the first of which, 1981's The Other Side Of Town, was released without his blessing.
Weiss grew up in Denver Colorado but eventually moved to LA and got a gig at a club called The Central in West Hollywood. He played there regularly on Mondays for 11 years, until the club was in danger of shutting down due to financial problems. It was then that he phoned his friend Johnny Depp, whom he had met years before when Johnny was still playing music himself. He asked if Johnny could pitch in and help him buy the club, and that is how the Viper Room came into existence. The Viper Room opened on the site of the old Central, and though Johnny (and presumably Weiss) are no longer involved, the club is still open today.
In 1999, Weiss released Extremely Cool, his first album since The Other Side Of Town. The album includes heavy participation by Waits, and some help from Johnny as an executive producer on one track. He has since released two more albums, 2001's Old Souls and Wolf Tickets, which features a 1970 recording with blues legend Willie Dixon, and 2006's 23rd and Stout. Weiss has also done occasional acting, including episodes of Married With Children and Gilmore Girls, and a cameo in Johnny's film The Brave. He is also credited on the P album for "washboard."
On October 9, 2007, Weiss' first album, The Other Side Of Town, will be re-released on the Select/ADA label. I do not currently know whether this is an authorize re-release or not, given that he was originally against the release of this album.

Scans of some album covers and liner notes (click to enlarge):

P liner notes Extremely Cool

Chuck E. Weiss and Johnny at Viper Room opening, August 1993:

Chuck E. Weiss and Tom Waits in 1979:

with Waits and Rickie Lee Jones, ca. 1979:

undated photo:

Some helpful sites for Chuck E. Weiss:

Chuck E. Weiss Compositions
This is just a partial list taken from the US Copyright records. The only CD I own of Chuck's is Extremely Cool, so I do not know what songwriting credits may appear on his other albums. Any addtional information would be appreciated!

created/copyright(s) Title {CD of origin}

1975/2003	Spare Parts 1 (A Nocturnal Emission) (with Tom Waits)
1977/1978	Rollin' The Rock (4 songs?) (with Ron Weiser, Steve Schnathorst, Jack Cochran)
1998/1999	Pygmy fund {Extremely Cool}
1998/1999	Sonny could lick all them cats {Extremely Cool}
1998/1999	Jimmy would {Extremely Cool}
1998/1999	Extremely cool {Extremely Cool}
1998/1999	Roll on Jordan {Extremely Cool}
1998/1999	Horseface {Extremely Cool}
1998/1999	Rocking in the Kibbitz Room {Extremely Cool}
1989/2002	Tony did the boogie woogie {Old souls & wolf tickets} (with Steve Caton, Will McGregor)
1999/2003	It rains on me ; Do you know what I Idi Amin? {Extremely Cool} (with Tom Waits)
1998/1999	What a rude awakening (Rude Awakening)
2002/2002	Sweetie-O ; Sneaky Jesus {Old souls & wolf tickets} (with Tony Gilkyson)
2002/2002	G-d damn liars {Old souls & wolf tickets} (with Tony Gilkyson, Michael Murphy)

Discography

1981	The Other Side Of Town (reissued Oct. 9, 2007)
1999	Extremely Cool
2001	Old Souls & Wolf Tickets
2007	23rd & Stout

Please

if you have any corrections or additions!